Sports

Saugatuck girls basketball eyes league, district titles

Editorial Staff Nov 27, 2024 2 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorNew season, same expectations for the Saugatuck girls basketball team.“As we do every year, we fully expect to compete for conference and district championships,” Saugatuck coach Kevin Tringali said. “We earned both the past two seasons, and…

Girls Basketball Season Preview:

Editorial Staff Nov 27, 2024 14 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor ALLEGANLeading scorers Katelyn VanAtter and Carlee Rynearson are among the players Allegan coach Sharron Thompson lost to graduation from last year’s 7-15 squad.That’s the bad news for the Tigers.The good news? Six seniors who earned valuable…

Otsego boys fall to Vicksburg

Editorial Staff Nov 27, 2024 2 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor OTSEGO—A game-best 17 points from Louis DiGrandi wasn’t enough to lift the Otsego boys basketball team to a win in its season opener against Vicksburg on Monday, Nov. 25.Otsego fell by a score of 72-54.“Overall, Vicksburg…

Harrison back reflects on memorable season

Editorial Staff Nov 22, 2024 2 min read

By John RaffelCorrepondent HARRISON — A major factor behind Harrison’s 7-3 playoff season was the two-way performance of Logan Williams. His yardage per game as a running back usually was well over 100 yards. In the playoff loss to McBain…

Rock prepares to lead young Saugatuck boys team

Editorial Staff Nov 20, 2024 2 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorDuring his three-year stint as head coach in Fennville from 2019-2022, Ty Rock amassed an overall record of 44-18.Rock hopes to replicate that level of success with Saugatuck.Rock takes over the head coaching duties in Saugatuck from…

Boys Basketball Preview:

Editorial Staff Nov 20, 2024 14 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor ALLEGANYouth can be a double-edged sword.Just ask Allegan coach Quentin Edwards.“Our strength as a team is our youth,” said Edwards, who enters his fourth season at the helm in Allegan after leading the Tigers to a…

Bulldogs manage one win, but lose three

Bulldogs manage one win, but lose three

Editorial Staff Nov 20, 2024 1 min read

By Pamela WhitlowThe LaFayette Bulldogs varsity basketball team kicked off the basketball season last week with a very busy schedule.The Bulldogs hosted Lee-Scott Academy during school hours, falling short 75-63.Jordan Johnson lead the Dawgs with 18 points and Jr Robinson…

Lawton football finishes at 8-3

Editorial Staff Nov 20, 2024 2 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent LAWTON — Lawton football coach AJ High was in his sixth year of coach and second as head coach. It was his first full season. The team was 8-3 overall and 4-1 in the league.“We always expect…

Constantine football bows out in regional finals to Jackson Lumen Christi

Constantine football bows out in regional finals to Jackson Lumen Christi

Robert Tomlinson Nov 17, 2024 6 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director JACKSON — Getting to the regional finals in the MHSAA football tournament is a special thing for a lot of teams. For Constantine, who made it to the playoffs with a 6-3 record ranked 21st in…

Volleyball for AR Nov 15 2024

Volleyball for AR Nov 15 2024

Editorial Staff Nov 15, 2024 4 min read

Three volleyball teams advance to regional finals Photo, story by Jeff Steers Recorder contributing writer Three Jackson County schools will be competing for regional volleyball titles Thursday. Western High School won its regional semifinal in Division 2, Hanover-Horton faces Clinton…

Sturgis swim/dive places second in league championships

Editorial Staff Nov 15, 2024 3 min read

OTSEGO — The Sturgis swim team competed in the SCC league championships last weekend, and finished the day with a second-place showing.Allegan placed first with 433 points, and the Trojans finished not far behind, with 398 points.Sturgis captured six conference…

Volleyball Roundup Three Rivers wins first district title since ’21, moves on to regional finals

Editorial Staff Nov 15, 2024 6 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — Winning a district championship is pretty sweet. Making it to the regional finals after a win the following week? Even sweeter.Three Rivers’ volleyball team accomplished that this past week, winning the Division 2…

Clare runners reflect on strong season

Editorial Staff Nov 15, 2024 2 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent CLARE — it was a season Clare runners wont soon forget.Laura Leis, a sophomore, was 113th at the Division 3 state finals in 20 minutes 57.1 seconds.“There are many parts of cross country that I like,” Leis…

Trailblazers’ season ends with district loss to Decatur

Editorial Staff Nov 13, 2024 4 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorDECATUR—Chris Foley gave the Saugatuck faithful reason to cheer late in the first quarter of the Trailblazers’ Division 8 football district title game against Decatur on Friday, Nov. 8.With Saugatuck trailing 8-0, Foley broke free for a…

Allegan swim & dive claims conference championship

Editorial Staff Nov 13, 2024 4 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor OTSEGO—After posting a perfect 7-0 record during the regular-season portion of the Southwest and Central Swim Conference schedule, the Allegan girls swim & dive team entered the Conference Championship Meet as the team to beat.And try…

Rebels roll to Round 2 of playoffs

Rebels roll to Round 2 of playoffs

Editorial Staff Nov 13, 2024 3 min read

By Katie McElvy The Rebel defense opened the first round of the AISA AAA Playoffs with a three-and-out, and Luke Tarver followed with a 23-yard pick up and a 30-yard touchdown run as Chambers hosted the Clarke Prep Gators.The Gators…

Paw Paw plays draw honors

Editorial Staff Nov 13, 2024 1 min read

By John Raffel The following football players for Paw Paw have named Wolverine Conference honors:1st Team offense- Darrin Strey and Julian Hernandez Offensive Line, Ben Miller and PJ DeYoung Running back.1st Team Defense- Darrin Strey D line, Bryson Newell Linebacker,…

Mendon upsets defending champ Martin on last-second TD to win regional title

Mendon upsets defending champ Martin on last-second TD to win regional title

Robert Tomlinson Nov 11, 2024 5 min read

By Steve Eldridge MENDON — “Nothing like a win in Mendon on a Saturday.” Those were the words of Mendon head coach Bobby Kretschman, after he saw his team score a last-second touchdown to defeat two-time defending state champion Martin,…

Cross Country State Finals  for AR Nov 8 2024

Editorial Staff Nov 8, 2024 4 min read

Bidwell Second at MHSAA D-2 Cross Country Final (Marshall): Marshall High School runner Jack Bidwell (520) is just behind T.J Hansen of Freeland during the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 2 state cross country finals at Michigan International Speedway.…

Clare volleyball advances to district finals

Clare volleyball advances to district finals

Editorial Staff Nov 8, 2024 2 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent BIG RAPIDS — Clare (17-15-2) extended its season by at least one more match on Wednesday.The Pioneers advanced to Thursday’s title match against Reed City with a 25-16, 25-17, 25-10 win over the Warriors (5-20) at Big…

By Mike Wilcox
Owner/Publisher

Every year, as the Christmas season draws near, I’m reminded just how generous our communities can be. For nearly two decades, Wilcox Newspapers has hosted what’s become one of my favorite traditions: our Annual Christmas Wish Program.

It started simply enough. We asked readers who were struggling to write in and tell us what would make their Christmas a little brighter. The idea was to connect local families in need with local people who wanted to help. Over the years, it’s grown into something truly special—and this year, we’re doing it again.